Effectiveness of A High Evacuation Aerosol Device For Ultrasonic Scalers - A Microbiological Evaluation

Dr. Salika Sheikh (MDS)

This study was carried out in the Department of Periodontics, M.R. Ambedkar Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore, to assess the effectiveness of a high evacuation aerosol reduction device in reducing bacterial aerosol contamination during ultrasonic instrumentation. Also to concurrently assess the ability of 0.12 % Chlorhexidine Gluconate, in reducing aerosol contamination, when used as a coolant with and without the high evacuation aerosol reduction device during ultrasonic instumentation.

40 subjects in the age range of 15 - 55 years were selected and 10 subjects were randomly alloted to each of the 4 groups ( 1- control ; 3- experimental ). 10 air samples of the dental operatory were collected on chocolate agar plate randomly over the period of the study to establish a base line air contamination. Aerosol sample were collected on chocolate agar plate randomly from 3 different positions ( 6 inches in front of the patient's mouth , on the bracket tray 2 feet from the patient's mouth, and on the operator's chest ), for all the subjects for a period of 5 minutes of ultrasonic instumentation and 15 minutes thereafter during which no instrumentation was carried out.

The chocolate agar plates were then incubated at 37 °C for 48 hours, aerobically. The qualitative assessment of bacterial colony forming units was then carried out with the help of a bacterial colony counter. The results were then analysed statistically using the t - test, and the analysis of variance test.

The results clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the use of high evacuation aerosol reduction device in reducing bacterial aerosol contamination produced during ultrasonic instrumentation.

The sole use of 0.12 % Chlorhexidine Gluconate as coolant was also effective, but the most effective method was the concurrent use of both the high evacuation aerosol reduction device and 0.12 % Chlorhexidine Gluconate coolant during ultrasonic instrumentation.

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